In The Omnivore's Dilemma, Michael Pollan explains the roots of the term "organic." "Organic" is the counterpoint to industrial agriculture and is a term coined by J.I. Rodale, who was the editor of Organic Gardening and Farming Magazine.
According to Pollan, this term was a way to show that nature should take the lead when it comes to agriculture. The people who supported the organic movement thought that machines weren't the healthy way to provide food for the people. Pollan notes that Rodale thought that there was a clear delineation between industrial and organic gardening, but industrial farms that are also organic exist. Also, there are small farms that are not organic but are sustainable and not bad for the environment.
One point Pollan makes is that these differences force people "to think a lot harder about what these words—sustainable, organic, natural—really mean." It's clear that there's not an easy way to decide exactly what is best for the world and for people. There are so many variables, and it's not always clear what's best for a person's community and the environment.
Another thing Pollan points out is that so many terms can make the choice difficult for customers. For example, local corn and corn that is shipped but with fewer additives might come into competition. While the local corn might have a chemical used on it to protect it from insects, it also doesn't require a great deal of fuel to transport it. It's all about what choices a person can make to minimize their impact, keep things sustainable, and feel good about the choices they're making.
The term “organic” has a few different meanings. Since 1942, it has been used to refer to natural foods—specifically those produced without using any chemical additives or pesticides. This is its most common meaning today.
Historically, though, “organic” referred to a branch of chemistry that focused on the materials and components of living organisms. The term “organic chemistry” was coined in 1778. Scientists used to believe that there was some special force to be found in living creatures, but in the 1800s, it became apparent that all of these compounds contained carbon. Because carbon is present in all forms of life on earth, “organic” came to be associated with biology, nature, and natural processes in general (as opposed to nonliving compounds or anything synthetic or man-made).
You may also have heard someone describe a work of art or interior design as “organic.” This means that the work has a free-flowing, asymmetrical feel to it, with a variety of curved shapes and lines. It also suggests a process that relies more on stream-of-consciousness than careful planning.
https://english.stackexchange.com/questions/198141/how-why-was-the-word-organic-chosen-to-represent-natural-foods-or-foods-withou
https://www.etymonline.com/word/organic
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